Rook endings are the most common endgame in chess. Endings with rooks and pawns occur in 8 to 10 percent of all games. This series teaches essential knowledge, without which you are helpless in these very common situations. You will learn how to play the Lucena position and how to execute the Philidor defense, as well as other variations you need to know.Content: 77 minutes of instruction and analysis in a series of 4 lectures.

Many chess books teach the Lucena and Philidor endgames - but most rook endgames start in much more complicated positions.
The objective of this series is to show you what to do in the earlier stages, when things are more complex and you may not even be sure who is winning. One of the key ingredients is obtaining active play for your Rooks, King and Pawns if you can safely do so. Here are real life lessons over the board with examples from Dana’s own games.Content: 126 minutes of instruction and analysis in a series of 4 lectures.

GM Jesse Kraai reviews Vassily Smyslov, one of his favorite players of all time. Jesse claims studying Smyslov’s endgames helped him to become a Grandmaster.Vasily Vasilyevich Smyslov (Russian March 24, 1921 – 27 March 2010) was a Soviet and Russian Grandmaster and was World Chess Champion from 1957 to 1958. He was a Candidate for the World Chess Championship on eight times (1948, 1950, 1953, 1956, 1959, 1965, 1983, and 1985). Smyslov twice tied for first at the Soviet Championship (1949, 1955), and his total of 17 Chess Olympiad medals won is an all-time record. In five European Team Championships, Smyslov won ten gold medals.

GM Jesse Kraai reviews Vassily Smyslov, his favorite player of all time. Jesse claims studying Smyslov’s endgames helped him become a Grandmaster.Vasily Vasilyevich Smyslov (Russian March 24, 1921 – 27 March 2010) was a Soviet and Russian Grandmaster and was World Chess Champion from 1957 to 1958. He was a Candidate for the World Chess Championship on eight times (1948, 1950, 1953, 1956, 1959, 1965, 1983, and 1985). Smyslov twice tied for first at the Soviet Championship (1949, 1955), and his total of 17 Chess Olympiad medals won is an all-time record. In five European Team Championships, Smyslov won ten gold medals.

GM Jesse Kraai reviews Vassily Smyslov, his favorite player of all time. Jesse claims studying Smyslov’s endgames helped him become a Grandmaster.Vasily Vasilyevich Smyslov (Russian March 24, 1921 – 27 March 2010) was a Soviet and Russian Grandmaster and was World Chess Champion from 1957 to 1958. He was a Candidate for the World Chess Championship on eight times (1948, 1950, 1953, 1956, 1959, 1965, 1983, and 1985). Smyslov twice tied for first at the Soviet Championship (1949, 1955), and his total of 17 Chess Olympiad medals won is an all-time record. In five European Team Championships, Smyslov won ten gold medals.

IM Bryan Smith grew up in Anchoarge, Alaska and now resides in Philadlephia, PA. His accomplishments include first in the 2008 National Chess Congress, first place in the 2008 King's Island Open and has won many other Grand Prix tournaments.

José Raúl Capablanca was a Cuban chess player and World Chess Champion from 1921 to 1927. Renowned as one of the greatest players of all time, Capablanca had exceptional endgame skill and clarity of thought that contributed to his exceptional speed of play. Over time his achievements in the chess world and mastery over the board and due to his relatively simple and direct style of play he was nicknamed the "Human Chess Machine".

GM Jesse Kraai reviews Vassily Smyslov, one of his favorite players of all time. Jesse claims studying Smyslov’s endgames helped him to become a Grandmaster.Vasily Vasilyevich Smyslov (Russian March 24, 1921 – 27 March 2010) was a Soviet and Russian Grandmaster and was World Chess Champion from 1957 to 1958. He was a Candidate for the World Chess Championship on eight times (1948, 1950, 1953, 1956, 1959, 1965, 1983, and 1985). Smyslov twice tied for first at the Soviet Championship (1949, 1955), and his total of 17 Chess Olympiad medals won is an all-time record. In five European Team Championships, Smyslov won ten gold medals.

Anatoly Karpov was the 12th world champion and is considered by many to be one of the greatest players of all time. His tournament successes include over 160 first-place finishes. He had a peak Elo rating of 2780, and his 90 total months at world number one is second all-all time just behind Garry Kasparov.

It’s often difficult to put your opponent away in the end game. David gives you tips on what to think about, and brings to light the psychological as well as tactical advantages you can bring to play. Bonus: En passant, stalemate and pawn promotion all of which are endgame tools explained.